Expounding the way of the Salaf us-Saleh in implementing the Quran and Sunnah. Indeed they (Ahl al-Hadith) acted upon the hadith whilst opposing blind following - the true madhab free from opinions and partisanship, which the companions taught the people

ntroduction The group known as the Bareilawis is known to many of us especially those of us from the sub continent. Whether it is family members or friends we know some people who ascribe to this group and follow its teachings. So who are Bareilawis and what do they believe?

The Origin of the Word The word Bareilawi comes from their founder whose name was Ahmad Rida Khaan al-Bareilawi born in Bareilly, a City in India in the province of Uttar Pradesh. Hence, he named him self al- Bareilawi (the Bareilawi) after the city he was born in. He was born on 10 Shawwal 1272 which corresponds to 14 June 1865 CE. Although the name given to him was Muhammad, he would refer to himself in many of his works as Abdul Mustafa (Slave of al- Mustafa - a name of the Prophet sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), such a name obviously is not allowed. However, this was not his only expression of shirk as you will find out in this article.

Their History Ahmad Rida founded the sect of the Bareilawis and it resides mainly in the sub continent. This does not mean that similar beliefs do not exist outside the sub continent though many of those people would not have heard of the Bareilawis. The beleifs and practices that Ahmad Rida Khaan al-Bareilawi brought, such as calling upon the dead, were not necessarily new. People before him had practiced them, but he revived these innovated beliefs with much vigour. The majority of Bareilawis still reside in India and Pakistan though many are found throughout the world such as in England where they have large gatherings and sessions of weird and innovated practices.

The Beliefs and Practices of the Barelawis The Bareilawis have their own peculiar beliefs and doctrines, distinguished from other factions of the Indian sub continent. Sometimes their beliefs resemble the Shiah beliefs and doctrines, such as their reverence and worship of saints and pious men. They have many un-Islaamic beliefs, which are too numerous to mention here, we will however highlight the most prominent of their beliefs.

1. Seeking Help from Other Than Allaah

The Bareilawis call upon other than Allaah in times of need, this is clear in their books,

Ahmad Rida Khaan al-Bareilawi said:

"There are servants of Allaah whom He has singled for fulfilling the needs of the people who flee to them with their needs." [Al Amn Wal Ula of Ahmad Rida al-Bareilawi p29]

And he also said:

"Seeking help and aid from anyone besides Allaah is lawful and desired. No one denies it except an arrogant and obstinate." [Hayat al Mawat By Ahmad Rida al-Bareilawi; included in al Fataawa ar-Ridwiyya (Pakistan Edition) Vol 4, p 300.]

And he also says in Al Amn Wal Ula p10:

"The Messenger of Allaah is the remover of the calamity and bestower of the donation."

And he also says in Malfuzat p 99:

"Jibreel is the supplier of the needs, and the Messenger of Allaah is the supplier of the needs, for the Prophet fulfils the needs of Jibreel too."

And he also said the following words of Kufr in Malfuzat p 307:

"During my life I did not seek help from anyone, and I do not ask for aid except Shaykh Abdul Qaadir, whenever I seek help I seek it only from him; whenever I ask for aid, I ask him alone. Once I tried to ask for aid and seek help from another saint, (hadhrat Mahbub Ilahi). When I intended to utter his name for seeking help, I did not utter the words but 'Ya Ghauthan' (O one whose help is sought). My tongue refused to utter the words for seeking help from anyone except him."

and Ahmad Rida Khaan also said in Al Amn wal Ula p44:

"When you are confused and helpless in matters, then seek help from the inmates of the graves."

All this is refuted by Islaam we say many times in our prayer:

"You alone do we worship and You alone do we ask for help." [1:5]

Allaah, the Exalted, said disapproving of the statements of the polytheists and their acts, and reprimanding them:

"Say: (O Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) 'Call upon those whom you assert (to be associate gods) besides Allaah, they possess not even the weight of an atom (or a small ant), either in the heavens or on the earth, nor have they any share in either, nor there is for Him any supporter from among them.'" [34:22]

Allaah, the Glorified and Exalted, said:

"Such is Allaah your Lord; His is the kingdom. And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmeer (the thin membrane over the date­stone). If you invoke (or call upon) them, they hear not your call, and if (in case) they were to hear, they could not grant it (your request) to you. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them. And none can inform you (O Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) like Him Who is the All Knower (of each and everything)." [35:13-14]

"If the Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) places his foot on an animal, it will have knowledge of the seen and the unseen. How does a saint on whom the Prophet (sal- Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) put his hand, not know the seen and the unseen."

All this kufr is again refuted by the Qur'aan and the Sunnah:

"Say (O Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam): 'None in the heavens and the earth knows the Ghayb (unseen) except Allaah, nor can they perceive when they shall be resurrected.' " [27:65]

"And they say: 'How is it that not a sign is sent down on him from his Lord?' Say (O Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam): 'The unseen belongs to Allaah Alone, so wait you, verily I am with you among those who wait (for Allaah's Judgement).' " [10:20]

The Messenger (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) once heard a young girl say:

"Amongst us is a Prophet who knows what will happen tomorrow."

So he (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said to her:

"Leave this and return to that which you were saying before." [Bukhaaree]

3. That the Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) is not Human and was Created from Light

It is written in Mawa'iz Naimiyya p14 by Ahmad Yaar (a leading figure of the Bareilawis):

"The Messenger of Allaah is light from the divine light, and all the creatures are from his light."

In al-Fatwaawa Naimiyya p 37 it is written:

"Allaah created the image of Muhammad from the light of his names Al-Badee (The Originator), Al-Qaadir (The All Powerful), and looked at it with his Name Al-Qaahir (The Irresistible). Then He (Allaah) became manifest to him (the Prophet Sall Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) with His names Al-Lateef (The Subtle), Al-Ghaafir (The Most Gracious, The Most Forgiving)"

Islaam again rejects this belief, Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta'alaa) mentions that what kept man from believing was the fact that the Prophets and Messengers were human, as He (subhaanahu wa ta'alaa) says:

"And nothing prevented men from believing when the guidance came to them, except that they said: 'Has Allaah sent a man as (His) Messenger?' " [17:94]

Allaah then rejects this by saying:

"Say (O Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam): 'If there were on the earth, angels walking about in peace and security, We should certainly have sent down for them from the heaven an angel as a Messenger.' " [17:95]

"Say (O Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam): 'I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah (God i.e. Allaah). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord.' " [18:110]

The whole life of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) bears witness to him being a human, he ate, drank, relieved himself, married, had children. And we say that he was the greatest of mankind due to his status and rank as the Chief of the Messengers.

This is one of the main beliefs of the Bareilawis, this belief is that the Prophet (Sall Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) is present at every place and sees everything. This leads them to leave spaces in their innovated gatherings believing that he (sal- Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) comes and sits in those gatherings.

"And you (O Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) were not on the western side (of the Mount), when We made clear to Moosaa (Moses) the commandment, and you were not among those present." [28:44]

He (subhaanahu wa ta'aala) also says:

"Glorified (and Exalted) be He (Allaah) Who took His slave (Muhammad Sall Allaahu alayhi wa sallam) for a journey by night from Al-Masjid-al-Haraam (at Makkah) to the farthest mosque (in Jerusalem), the neighbourhood whereof We have blessed, in order that We might show him (Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) of Our Ayaat (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, etc.). Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." [17:1]

This means that he, the Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) would enter where he (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) was not present at that time.

Shaykh Hasan ibn Mansoor al-Ma`roof Biqaadeekhaan (d.592H) writes,

"A man did nikaah with a woman without any witnesses and at the time of the nikaah he said to the woman "We make Allaah and his Messenger our witnesses." The fuqahaa (Islaamic jurisprudents) have said that this statement of the man is disbelief (kufr), because he held the belief that the Messenger of Allaah (sal- Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) had the knowledge of the unseen whereas he didn't have the knowledge of the unseen when he was alive so how would he then have it after his death." [Fatawaa Qaadee Khaan (p. 883)]

"A man without witnesses married a woman (and the witnesses were not present). Addressing the woman he said "I am doing nikaah with you whilst making Allaah and his Messenger (sal- Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) my witnesses," then that individual will become a kaafir (disbeliever), because he came to the belief that the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) has the knowledge of the unseen, because the one who doesn't have knowledge then how can he become a witness. The person who has this aqeedah that the Messenger of Allaah (sal- Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) had the knowledge of the unseen and he is present and with us then he is a kaafir." [Fataawaa Walu al-Jeeyah wa Kadha Beeree Haashiyah Ishbah]

"If anyone takes Allaah and Muhammad (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) as witnesses for nikaah then from the start, that person will become a kaafir because he held the belief that the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) knows the knowledge of the unseen." [Bahrur-Raqiaq (5/16)]

Sultaan Aalamgeer (d.1118), the Islamic Constitution, Law and Principles which he set out in India with the help of five hundred fuqahaa. In it, it has the explanation, "That a man did nikaah without any witnesses and he said "I make Allaah and his Messenger (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) my witnesses," or he says "I make Allaah's Messenger my witness," or he says "I make Allaah and his Angels my witnesses." then such an individual will become a kaafir. If he says I make the Angels on my right and left sides (kiraaman-kaatibeen) as my witnesses then he will not be a kaafir (Because both these Angels are present with us but the nikaah (marriage) will be invalid." [Fataawaa Alamgeer (2/412)]

In the famous and well-known Hanafee Fiqh book Fataawaa Tataarkhaniyyah it is written,

"The one who makes Allaah and his Messenger (sal- Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) as witnesses for nikaah, then his nikaah will be invalid and the individual will become a kaafir because he held the belief that the Messenger of Allaah (sal- Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) had the knowledge of the unseen."

It is written in the well-known Fataawaa Jawahir Ikhlaaqiyyah,

"That if someone understood that the Messenger of Allaah (sal- Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) had the knowledge of the unseen then he becomes a kaafir and if this ’aqeedah is held about someone else, then how can the individual remain a Muslim?"

Imaam Abee Ibn Abee Bakr (d.593H), the author of Hidaayah in his book Tajnees (p. 297).

Thanaa ullaah Pani Patee (d.1225H) in Maalaa ba'd Mun (p.176) and other Hanafee Fuqahaa have clarified that, The individual who holds the aqeedah that the Messenger of Allaah (sal- Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) had the knowledge of the unseen or he was present with us then he commits an act of disbelief (kufr).

5. Evil Practices at the Grave

The Bareilawis have many evil practices at the graves such as prostration to it or near it, making tawaaf of the graves, and putting candles and lamps on the graves, raising them high.

It is written in Ja'al Haqq p 300 of Ahmad Yaar:

"To light the lamps and candles at the graves of the saints, righteous people and the learned is to exalt the saints. The purpose lying behind it is a good one. The offering of oil and candle to the saints kindled at their graves for their exaltation and out of their love is lawful. It is not proper to prohibit them from this practice."

It is mentioned in a hadeeth reported by Muslim that:

"The Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) prohibited the plastering of graves, sitting upon them and building over them."

In the book called Bahari Shariat it is written:

"There is no harm if a person circumambulates (makes tawaaf) around the grave to attain blessings."

Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta'aala) clearly states in the Qur'aan that we can only make tawaaf of the Ka'bah:

"And make Tawaaf around the Ancient House." [22:29]

6. The Celebration of Birth and Death Anniversaries

The Bareilawis celebrate the anniversaries of the death of saints and righteous men. These are held at their graves.

One of the disciples of Rida Khaan al-Bareilawi wrote in the book Bahari Shariat (Vol 1):

"The celebration of the death anniversary of the saints, recitation of the Qur'aan, al-Faatihah, preaching, and shifting reward to them are the cause of blessings, for the saints are alive in their graves, and the faculties of their knowledge, perception, hearing and seeing have increased."

One of their scholars issued a fatwa:

"The Prayer is lawful only behind a person who celebrates the death anniversaries and recites al-Faatihah. As regards those who are opposed to these things, prayer behind them is not lawful." [Al-Haqq Al-Mubin p74 by Al-Kazimi]

They also celebrate the birthday of the Prophet (sal- Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), which is an innovation and was never practiced by him (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) or by any of his Companions. They decorate their gatherings and houses and believe that only those who celebrate this day will attain salvation.

In Ja'al Haqq of Ahmad Yaar it says:

"To celebrate a festival, to hold gatherings, to rejoice and to distribute sweets on the anniversary of the Prophet's birthday are commendable and the cause of the coming down of the Blessings and Mercy of Allaah. The Christians celebrate festivals on Sunday, the day when a table of food came down to them from Heaven. Why should we not celebrate on the day, which is more excellent than that?"

The religion of Allaah (subhaanah wa ta'aala) was completed in the lifetime of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) as He (subhaanah wa ta'aala) says:

"This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion." [5:3]

There was no celebration of any birthdays or death anniversaries during the time of the Prophet (sal- Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam). Islaam rejects all of these celebrations.

The Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:

"Whoever innovates in this affair of ours something which does not belong in it will have it rejected" [Bukhaaree and Muslim]

If the celebration of the Prophet's (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) birthday had been something good then definitely the Companions, those who loved him (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) the most, would have done it and told others to do it. However, this is not the case, so we have no right to do what they did not do.

7. The Evil Belief Allaah is Everywhere

Like other Sufi sects, the Bareilawis believe that Allaah is everywhere in His Essence, as we explained in the last newsletter this belief is false and goes against the teaching of Islaam.

The Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said in the famous hadeeth of the slave girl:

"Where is Allaah?" She replied, "Above the Heavens." He sal- Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam said, "And who am I?" She replied, "You are the Messenger of Allaah." He sal- Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam said, "Free her for verily she is a believer." [Saheeh Muslim]

8. Bareilawis and their Takfeer of the Muslims who Oppose them

The Bareilawis are very stubborn in their beliefs, whenever someone opposes what they do and shows its falsehood and how it is Shirk they immediately label them as 'Wahaabi' apostates. This reference to wahaabi is a twisting of one of the attributes of Allaah Al-Wahaab (The All Giver) and hence is not permissible. They call Muslims who oppose them this after the great Scholar Shaykh ul-Islaam Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahaab who fought against their beliefs and called to Tawheed (worshipping Allaah alone).The Bareilawis call themselves 'Sunnis' or Ahlus- Sunnah wal-Jammaah and they are far from that, for they do not follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) nor do they adhere to the people of truth.

"The Wahaabis are more wicked, harmful and impure than the Jews and the Christians."

Rida Khaan said: "If anyone admires Darul Ulum Deoband, or does not believe in the corruption of the Deobandi's and does not scorn them, then this is sufficient to make a judgment for him to be a Non-Muslim!" (Fatawa Ridwiyya, 6/43 of Rida Khaan).

Rida Khaan in his Malfuzat (pp. 325-6) said: " If there is a gathering of Hindus, Christians, Qadiyanis and Deobandis, then Deobandis alone should be rejected, for they have come out of the fold of Islam and defected from it. Agreement with the unbelievers is far better than the agreement with the apostates!"

"The works of the Deobandis are more unclean than the various works of the Hindus. The doubt about the heresy of Ashraf Ali Deobandi and suspicion about the punishment is also unbelief. To cleanse the impurity with the papers of the works produced by the Deobandis is not lawful, not because of the respect for their books, but because of the reverance of the letters with which they have been written." (Fatawa Ridwiyya, 2/136, Faisalabad, Pakistan).

9. Deviated Ascription of Power to the Prophets and Saints

The Bareilawis allege that the Power of Allaah, His Sovereignty and His Authority has shifted to the Prophets and Saints.

"Whatever appears in the universe, our chief Muhammad grants it, in whose hands lie all the keys. Therefore, nothing goes out from the divine treasures but at his hands. Whenever he intends to do an act, nothing occurs against it and nothing in the universe can hinder it."

"It is the Messenger of Allaah who heals up the diseases and pains, removes every calamity from the Muslims, he gives life and resolves the dilemmas, benefits all the creatures, and raises their degrees. He is the guardian, the helper, and the remover of adversity. It is he who cooled down the fire of Ibraaheem. It is he who donates and bestows, and his command is in force and his order is operative in the universe."

What Shirk and Kufr this is! Glory be to Allaah who is far removed from having any equal, the Lord of the Heavens and the Universe, Who said:

"And so many a moving (living) creature there is, that carries not its own provision! Allaah provides for it and for you. And He is the All-Hearer, the All­Knower." [29:60]

"Blessed is He in Whose Hand is the dominion, and He is Able to do all things." [62:1]

"Say (O Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam): 'In Whose Hand is the sovereignty of everything (i.e. treasures of each and everything)? And He protects (all), while against Whom there is no protector, if you know.' " [23:88]

"And no (moving) living creature is there on earth but its provision is due from Allaah. And He knows its dwelling place and its deposit (in the uterus, grave, etc.) all is in a Clear Book (Al-Lauh Al-Mahfooz - the Book of Decrees with Allaah)." [11:6]

"Say (O Muhammad sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam): 'O Allaah Possessor of the kingdom, You give the kingdom to whom You will, and You take the kingdom from whom You will, and You endue with honour whom You will, and You humiliate whom You will. In Your Hand is the good. Verily, You are Able to do all things.' " [3:26]

The Prophet (sal-Allaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:

"Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians exaggerated in praising the son of Maryam (Eesaa alayhis-salaam), for verily, I am only a slave, so say the slave of Allaah and His Messenger." [Bukhaaree]

Misconceptions Cleared Some people might say this is only the belief of the leaders of the Bareilawis and not the beleifs of the followers today. This is false, as is witnessed by anyone who has visited Pakistan, India or Kashmir. They will have witnessed the Shirk that goes on at the graves and the belief these people still hold. They love and revere Ahmad Rida Khaan al-Bareilawi, take from his books and refer to him, indeed they still adhere to his beleifs and practices.

Some people might say that you are making takfeer (declaring as non-Muslims) all the Bareilawis. This is not true. We can not say that every single Bareilawi is a Kaafir. Rather we say that these beliefs of theirs are clear Kufr. Whoever adopts these beliefs of kufr, after the proof has been correctly established upon them, then they fall into disbelief. The people of Knowledge can then give a ruling concerning individuals.

Conclusion So we have looked at some of the false and wicked beliefs of these people. Their beliefs are closely linked with the Shiah and it is difficult to know who copied whom in their beliefs. Any Muslim who is reading this will realise that these people must be warned against, so we give the following advice:

1. To Bareilawis: Leave your innovated beliefs and practices which have no foundation in Islaam and come to that which will give you life, the Qur'aan and Sunnah as understood by the Companions. Accept the truth before death overcomes you. Put your emotions to one side and analyse your beliefs in light of the evidences from authentic sources.

2. To the people of 'unity at all costs' who find no problem co- operating with Sufis like the Bareilawis: We advice you to return to the way of the Companions in dealing with people who transgress the limits laid down by Allaah. You claim to be upon the truth yet you do not defend it. You claim to love the truth yet you do not defend its people. You claim to be sincere yet you do not search for the truth. You claim to take from the scholars yet you do not sit with them. You claim to be followers of the Salaf us-Saalih (righteous predecessors) yet you do not pay heed to their advice.

We ask Allaah (subhaanahu wa ta'alaa) to guide us all to the truth and to expose the people of falsehood wherever they are. Ameen